Of Eagles and Dragons, The Children of Kyne, Vol. IV Options

[Kane]

Act I

Prologue (4E 230)
Emperor Titus Mede II is dead. Convicted of Treasonous Sedition against the Empire and a Vassal State, the Elder Council cast his Writ of Execution with a unanimous vote on Loredas, the 1st of Last Seed, in the Two-hundred thirtieth year of the Fourth Era. The High Chancellor Anilay Cato was chosen to oversee the day-to-day administration of the crumbling Mede Dynasty, and the former head of state himself was hung from the gallows on Green Empire Way in the Imperial City for all to see.

It was a time of uncertainty in Cyrodiil, for there was yet to be a clear successor to the Ruby Throne, and rumors of Colovian and Nibenese warlords arming up to seize power for themselves were beginning to circulate among the populace. Many citizens of the Heartland secretly wished the Dragonborn king of Skyrim would lay claim by birthright, but so far there had been little news from the northern kingdom.

And with a patience born of long life, the Thalmor diplomats were content to watch quietly from their Embassy while their handlers ruled the Third Aldmeri Dominion with an iron fist. Altmer agents moved about in the shadows to sow discord and discontent wherever possible and worked tirelessly to keep the Empire from once again rising to prominence.

-----

Queen Penolore of the Summerset Isles strolled through the botanical gardens of Alinor with her royal retainer in tow. The ultimate ruler of the Aldmeri Dominion, Penolore reigns supreme over the Altmer of her homeland, the Bosmer of Valenwood, and the Khajiiti of Elswyr with an unrelenting grip. The Thalmor operate solely under her command, bringing order to her subjects and extending her reach over the rest of Tamriel. But on this day, she felt only contempt for the ineptness of the organization’s recent failures in combating the rise of a new alliance of power to the north.

The shrill fops in her retainer had followed her from the palace, prattling on endlessly about matters far beneath her station in a constant bid to curry favor with the monarch. Seeking a measure of peace and quiet, she finally had enough of the bickering for one day. Penolore came to a halt and raised a hand in warning.

“Shut up. All of you will shut up now or I shall have you thrown from the highest tower of my palace. Begone from here if you value your meaningless existences.�

They fell silent in deference to their queen and filed out of the gardens as quickly as possible. Not a single one of them were keen to be present for her wrath should it need to be unleashed upon whichever poor soul tarried. Only a single Altmer remained, clad in the traditional dark robes of the Thalmor.

“Have you more to say, Lisotel? I would have thought your inability to carry out even a single assassination of those miserable whelps to the north would have stayed your sharp tongue. Tell me what value you could possibly still offer your queen when others have been flayed alive for failures of a far less magnitude than your own.�

“I only offer news that our agents deemed relevant, milady.�

“Very well. Spit it out and remove yourself from my sight.�

Magistrate Lisotel hesitated for the briefest of seconds. It would have to be today of all days that he was assigned to her retinue, and a message from Solitude should arrive to their headquarters by carrier eagle. Penolore was already in a foul temper after his Thalmor compatriots failed to squash another uprising in Anequina, and now he was poised to deliver more unwelcome news to the surly queen.

“It is with great regret that our field agents in Skyrim report the return of the High King’s son to the Blue Palace. He apparently was spotted in the city yesterday morning in the company of an unknown Breton woman. Where he had gone or what he was up to over the last thirteen months is still a mystery, but we fear his arrival and reintegration with the royal family will push the king to finally issue a claim to the Ruby Throne.�

The queen had stooped down to examine a budding rose stem while Lisotel spoke and she snipped it free cleanly from the stalk with her pruning shears as the words tumbled from the Magistrate’s overworked mouth. It slipped free of her grasp, fell to the floor, and Penolore ground it to a pulp with the heel of her boot.

“Tell me, Lisotel, have we not discussed the merits of tending to one’s garden on many previous occasions? See how easily that is done? Pruning an errant growth is a simple task that is abundantly important in maintaining a healthy growth; one of which I know your Order is easily capable of facilitating. I am granting you a second chance to do as I have ordered. Should you fail once again, the citizens of Alinor shall bear witness to your entrails displayed upon the ruins of Crystal-Like-Law. Return to me when the task is completed, and not one second sooner.�

Bowing his head graciously, Magistrate Lisotel took leave of the queen. Penolore continued to care for the overgrown rose shrub, snipping off stray stems with malicious intent.

-----

“What news from Chorrol, Brother Cassian?�

“High Chancellor,� greeted the courier. “Brother Indus’ scouts report little movement from the camps deep in the Great Forest. If they have anything planned, it will likely not be for some time. Indus suspects they are having trouble recruiting loyal men for the cause. Of course, this would all be a lot easier to verify if we are given leeway to operate more independently.�

Anilay Cato set down his quill and pushed aside the letter he’d been penning. This wasn’t the first time Cassian had made a similar remark, and the chancellor was beginning to grow weary of reminding the man just how delicate the situation in Cyrodiil really was. A stronger hand may be required soon.

“This again? We’ve been over it many times already, Brother Cassian. I’m giving you the most resources I can without drawing scrutiny from the elves. If they discover the Blades have secretly been reformed, the Dominion will bring war to our doorstep immediately. Do what you can with what I have given you and let’s not speak of this again. There are plenty of other men who would love to be in your position.�

Brother Cassian recognized his dismissal and saluted smartly as he turned to leave. Anilay continued to stare absentmindedly at the door long after it had closed behind his captain. He again found himself wondering if reforming the Blades had been a wise move on the council’s part. The endgame of the it made sense to all involved, but Anilay felt the interim risk was too high, and he’d unsuccessfully pushed to have the vote temporarily stayed.

“Too late now,� he said to no one in particular. And with a heavy sigh, he returned to his unfinished letter.

There was another knock on the door and it took all of his restraint to not fling the quill at it and berate whomever deigned to bother him again. “Come in!�

An elderly Breton woman with long gray hair tied back in a ponytail, poked her through the partially opened door and saluted. “Is this a bad time, sir?�
“No, no, come on in, Delphine,� said Anilay. “Forgive my exasperated tone, I just got done reminding Cassian of our straits and I fear that I shall never finish this correspondence.� He rolled up the parchment and set it aside until the next day. “What can I do for you?�

“I’d like to request something of you.� Delphine entered the study and took the recently vacated seat across from the High Chancellor. After she settled in, Anilay gestured for her to continue. “Might I be sent back north to Skyrim? I know the High King from our time together during the Dragon Crisis, and I may be able to get a better read on his intentions than some of our other agents have.�

“Oh, really? But as I understand it, your time working together did not end well, no? As I recall, he asserted his authority as Dragonborn over you and walked away from your efforts to rebuild the order. What makes you think he’ll let you into his court after all these years?�

Delphine frowned. She hadn’t expected Anilay to be so well versed on her prior dealings as a rogue Blade in Skyrim. Truth be told, her efforts to kickstart the Blades, along with Esbern, in Sky Haven Temple had crumbled to dust after Kirin Windborne had walked away from them. Further recruiting efforts failed, and the wizened lore-keeper succumbed to illness not five years later. For her part, Delphine had faded into obscurity as a farmhand in the western Reach.

“Heard about that, did you? Well, you’re right in that there’s no guarantee, but I don’t know what else I can offer the Blades, sir. I’m old and my days of fighting are long since passed. This at least feels like something meaningful I can contribute.�

“I see,� replied Anilay. “And would you be up for such a journey, Delphine? Autumn is settling in over Skyrim and our men at Cloud Ruler have reported the Pale Pass is already under several feet of snow. It will not be easy going.�

“I’ll manage.�

The High Chancellor studied her for a moment and then he grabbed a new roll of parchment and dipped his quill in fresh ink. He scribbled away while Delphine waited patiently for his decision, wondering where fate would take her next. She had been so hesitant when the rumors of former Blades officers being brought back into the fold were swirling, and it wasn’t until Brother Cassian himself had tracked her down to a small plantation near Karthwasten that she allowed herself to believe they were true. The reality didn’t truly set in for her until she was assigned a room at Weynon Priory, on the outskirts of Chorrol, and asked to advise the younger Captains leading this new iteration of the fabled organization.

Anilay finished writing his new orders, signed, and stamped the bottom with an Imperial Seal before wrapping it up and handing it to Delphine. “Deliver this to Brother Cassian and return to Cloud Ruler with him to begin your preparations.�

“Thank you, sir,� said Delphine. “I’ll keep in touch.�

“A bit of advice, if I may?�

“Sir?�

The chancellor dug around in his desk for few seconds until he found the dossier he was seeking. Flipping it open, Anilay slid out a sketching of Cain Windborne and handed it to the waiting Breton. “If the High King offers resistance, try speaking to his son. I’ve met the man personally and he’s wise, clever, and kind to a fault. Not to say that his father is an ignorant old man, but sometimes younger eyes see things differently. I’ve gathered that Cain is back home in Solitude after being abroad following the death of his fiancé.�

Delphine bowed her head slightly in acknowledgement. Everyone in Skyrim had heard about his loss, and people across the province had mourned for the young woman from Stonehills. There were even gossiping commoners in the taverns at night saying she had been pregnant at the time, but that was never officially confirmed by the High King’s court. If It were true, Delphine didn’t fault him at all for taking some time away, even if his whereabouts were a mystery.

“I’ll keep that in mind, sir.�

“Excellent. Take care on your trip, and dress warmly. I expect a letter by carrier bird as soon as you get settled in at Solitude. You’re dismissed, Delphine.�

Anilay watched her depart and then he glanced back over at his unfinished letter. Deciding it could wait until the morning, the chancellor left his office in search of a strong drink to end the day with. He wasn’t entirely convinced allowing Delphine to intrude on the High King’s court was a good idea, but he’d expected answers from Kirin Windborne for some time now, and was rewarded with nothing.

If another week passes like this I shall have to contact Cain myself. Perhaps the man would be willing to visit me in person.

The White-Gold Tower still bustled with activity in the evening hours, and so Anilay elected to don his commoner clothes and seek a drink at Luther Broad’s, instead.


This post has been edited by Kane: Jun 26 2025, 03:16 PM

[Kane]

Chapter II �" Practice and Relaxation

A small spear of keen ice struck Linneá’s side and shattered into nothingness. Grimacing slightly from the pain, she casted another quick healing spell before closing her eyes to concentrate on the magickal theory she’d been practicing lately with Serana. The bright morning sun beamed down on the palace gardens they stood in, its vibrant light warming the air while a gentle breeze rustled through the overgrown ivies, endless array of flowering alchemical plants, and fruit bearing shrubs that filled the stone soil boxes and clay planters surrounding the two mages.

“Okay, hit me again!� said Linneá, breaking the idyllic reverie. The next icy spear struck her upper leg this time and brought Linneá down to one knee. “[censored]!� she gasped, “that one really hurt!�

Serana rushed over to her wife’s side and flashed her own healing spell with one hand, while her other gripped Linneá’s shoulder to steady her. “Let’s take a break for a bit, love. You don’t have to master it the first time out.�

“I’ll be fine, just gimme a sec.� She breathed deeply several times and then scowled at Serana. “Did you make that last one stronger?�
“Maybe,� giggled Serana. “I thought you’d concentrate harder if I made it hurt more. Did it work?�

“If it means I won’t have to feel that again… yes. But you should know by now that there are better ways to entice me, dear.� She reached up and twirled a small strand of lace on her wife’s top that was slightly undone. “Just untie this all the way and I’ll have all the motivation I need!�

“Divine’s sake, Elle, I’m not going to parade around the gardens with my tits out for all to see.� Serana helped Linneá back up to her feet and shot her a devious smile. “Tell you what… if you reflect the next one I’ll conjure up that… object… you’re so fond of when we go to bed tonight.�

“The red and black one? Deal. Now get back over there and hit me again. Use a damn blizzard spell if you have to, cause I’m definitely going to make sure we have a good time tonight!�

Linneá closed her eyes while Serana moved away, and readied herself for the incoming blast of ice. A shimmering aura of pale blue light encased her slender form in anticipation of the hostile spell Serana was about to fling her way once again. The promised reward at the forefront of her thoughts, she focused a fair bit of her ample magicka reserves to cast Shalidor’s Mirror.

Another flash of icy blue sliced through the air, rushing towards Linneá, and this time it immediately reflected back towards Serana, who barely had her ward spell up in time. The shard of magickal ice shattered against the protective barrier and the moment Serana lowered it she dashed back to Linneá and jumped into her arms.

“Elle, that was perfect!� Serana pressed her lips firmly to Linneá’s, who slowly drove her a few paces forward and up against the palace wall. “Ooh, careful!� squealed Serana. Further words were not spoken until they heard the door open and footsteps clicking on the paved stone floor.

Lydia saw them separate, shook her head ruefully, and then beckoned them to sit around a small table with her. Linneá and Serana joined her, and their mother wasted no time in asking about Cain and Gwyn: “How long has this been going on?�

-----

Cain and Gwyndala were awake and eating a late breakfast when Linneá and Serana walked into the dining room a short time later and sat down opposite them. Their brother seemed to think something very amusing was going on while his tiny Breton girlfriend chewed on her bottom lip and stared aimlessly through his sisters as if they’d never appeared.

“Good morning, you two,� said Serana. “Uh, Gwyn, are you alright? And what’s so damn funny, brother?�

“You just missed mum,� explained Cain. “She took Gwyn to task and then left to join dad like it was just another ordinary conversation. I’ve never seen her fired up like that.�

“Oh no,� sighed Linneá. “Gwyn, dear, you really don’t wanna be on her bad side. Mum isn’t just some bumpkin our dad met on a farm, she was a housecarl for the Jarl of Whiterun and was assigned to protect dad when the Dragon Crisis began. They fought dragons’ side by side to save us all, and she dueled Alduin himself with dad on the Throat of the World. There is far more to our mother than just being the High King’s devoted wife.�

Gwyn had still been staring at the wall behind them, but she did hear Linneá’s warning and when she focused back on the present, it was with a mischievous grin that caught the others off guard. “I had it coming,� she admitted. “I’m sure you noticed I can’t help myself sometimes, and that I come off like a bratty [censored]. And she didn’t even pretend to hold back, went right to calling me out on it. I think I’m going to like Lydia, but you all need to give me some space for a while, okay? I lived alone in that cabin for fifteen years until your brother here came along and wormed his way into my life. I’m not used to being around this many [censored] people all the time.�

“Fair enough,� said Linneá. “Do you want us to leave? Let you and Cain eat lunch in peace?�

“No, I… I’m fine with you two.�

Serana’s eyes flashed with surprise, and she helped herself to a sweet roll while stealing a glance at Linneá. I think she likes us, Elle, she thought at Linneá. Maybe we can help her acclimate?

I’d wager she thinks more highly of you than me. She probably hasn’t forgotten that you took the time to check on her more than once. But we can definitely see if she’s interested.

Their brief mental exchange didn’t escape Gwyn’s notice, and she flung a grape at Linneá to get their attention. It bounced off her forehead and splashed neatly in the jug of water sitting in the middle of the table, which had the intended result. They were both looking at her again and trying not to laugh at Gwyn’s outlandishness.

“It’s rude to talk about others in front of them, even if it is telepathically,� said Gwyn. “If you have something to say, then do so out loud.�

Cain had mostly been silent during this exchange but when he opened his mouth to chime in, Gwyn kicked his leg and he nearly yelped in pain from the pointed shoe digging into his calf. The look she shot at him screamed ‘I’ll handle this’, so he shrugged and went back to dipping a crusty loaf of bread in a small bowl of seasoned oil.

“You’re right, that was rude,� agreed Serana. “We’ll try not to do that. Anyway, Elle and I thought we could take you under our wings, help you get settled in here. Show you where the quiet places are, who to avoid… that sort of thing. Interested?�

“Under your wings? You do realize I’m older than you two, right?�

“Technically, very few people in all of Tamriel are older than my Ana here, but, yes, we do realize that. Besides, it’s just an expression, Gwynnie. What do you say?�

Gwyn stared at them for a moment, her expression unreadable. Linneá suddenly wasn’t sure if now was the right time to be offering this �" Gwyn had only been here for a few hours and no doubt felt way out of her comfort zone. But they were going to have to get to know each other eventually, and Linneá and Serana both felt there was more to this woman than a callous exterior. And the fact that she already opened up to Cain and let him in further proved that to them.

“… I think that sounds nice. Final warning, though… if you call me that again, they’ll never find your body. Oh, and I do have one question for you, Serana.�

“Hm?�

“Where do you keep the brandy?�

-----

Late morning quickly gave in to midday while life moved on in the Blue Palace. Downstairs, near where the very foundation of their home was set deep into the bedrock of Solitude’s great arch, one of the larger unused dungeons had been converted into a private library with its own small alchemy lab off to the side in an antechamber. Soaring bookstacks stood against every wall in the circular chamber, and a large table at the center housed several magickal light sources, surrounded by comfortable armchairs, and plush chaises. Tables covered in scrolls, inkpots, quills, and notebooks were tucked into random corners, and a large shelf filled with several bottles of liquor and glass goblets adorned the southern wall.

The collective books, tomes, spell books, and manuals had been assembled over the last five to six years by Linneá and Serana, who were now nestled down on one of the chaises, hoping to eke out a bit of piece and quiet before heading upstirs to attend their father’s court. Serana held a thin novel in one hand while the fingers of her other hand laced through her wife’s hair.

But she was having trouble concentrating and soon glanced down at Linneá with a frown. Vacant hazel eyes stared past Serana’s own to the ceiling above. “Can you not think so loudly, love? It bleeds over sometimes. Why are you still peeling that theory apart anyway? After that show early, I’d say you’ve mastered Shalidor’s Mirror.�

“Oops, sorry. I didn’t realize you could hear me.� Linneá sat up with her knees tucked in towards her chest and rested her chin between her knees. “You know how I am �" always trying to improve upon things. I started to wonder if, given the proper focus, spells could be redirected outwards in a wide-ranging effect, instead of the back at the caster. It would be a handy trick if you find yourself surrounded."

Serana shook her head in admiration. “Only you would take a spell from Shalidor himself and wonder if it could be better, Elle. You’ll never cease to amaze me, you know that? I’ve had thousands of years to practice magick and sometimes I still feel like a novice when I watch you peel apart spell foundations or master theories that would turn the heads of Telvanni mages.�

Linneá blushed and looked away. “You stop that, you’re gonna make me tear up and I don’t want to ruin my makeup before we go help da. Besides, you’ve forgotten more about alchemy than I’ll ever know, so let’s just say we’re even.�

“Got me there,� laughed Serana.

Serana picked up her book and started reading it again while Linneá laid her had back down in her lap. Despite her best efforts, bits and pieces of Linneá’s thoughts continued to filter through at odd times until Serana sighed and set the book down in surrender. She settled for closing her eyes and leaning back to relax until they needed to leave, content to enjoy the quiet morning in their library.

Half an hour later, Linneá stood up to stretch, and then grabbed Serana’s hand. “Come on, we might as well go now. I hit a wall and it looks like you’re about to fall asleep.�

“Just resting,� said Serana. “I kept hearing the odd stray thought of yours.� Her stomach grumbled on the way out of their library, so she steered her wife towards the nearest kitchen. “I need a snack first, come this way.�

-----

The smell as they entered the vestibule and ascended the stairs to the throne room assaulted their senses and nearly made Linneá and Serana gag. Wondering what on Nirn could cause such an odorous stank, they took the stairs two at a time in search of the offending items and spotted the farmer with his bag of rotting potatoes, still bandying them about in from of Kirin. Linneá immediately dashed to the man’s side, yanked the burlap sack out his hands, and dropped it into a summoned chest.

“You’re not getting those back,� she spat, interrupting the farmer’s retort and waving her hand in front of her face to dispel the foul smell. “Why the hell did you think it was a good idea to bring those before your king? Finish your piece and don’t pull a stunt like that again, or you’ll join those potatoes in Oblivion.�

After a subtle warning from Kirin’s housecarl, the man took the hint and went back to yammering about his perceived slights.

“That wasn’t very tactful, Elle,� whispered Serana. “These people do look up to us, ya know…�

“[censored] him,� she shot back. “Besides, mum got a kick out of that. Did you see the [censored]-eating grin on her face when I told him off? She loved it.�

Leaving the man slightly off-kilter, Linneá and Serana made for a nearby bench and took a seat until they would be needed again. Things proceeded uneventfully for a few minutes more until Cain and Gwyndala tried to sneak in past the commoners and join his sisters in wait. But their father noticed them right off, called a closing to the morning court and waved the four of them over to where he and Lydia tended to the Throne of Skyrim.

“What’s up, da?� asked Linneá. “Why’d you send them all away? Still had at least another hour of madness waiting in line.�

“Ah, don’t worry about them,� said Kirin. “I’m famished and we’re all here together for a change. Come on, we’re heading up to my study and then to Elysium for lunch with Kyne. I already discussed it with your mother, and we can use the break!�

Linneá shrugged and started to follow her parents further into the palace while mentally tipping off their goddess that they would be visiting. Serana was about to follow suit, but she noticed that Cain and Gwyn were hanging back and seemed to be debating something. Gwyn in particular looked a little agitated.

“Everything okay?� she asked them, doubling back.


This post has been edited by Kane: May 14 2025, 02:15 AM